ANACORTES — With temperatures in the low 70s, a slight breeze and a cloudless sky, the conditions for the opening of the cross country season couldn’t have been any better — except for cross country runners.

Midway through a race, low 70s start to feel like 90s, and the heat can exact a toll.

The course at Anacortes sends runners through the woods, which provides shade. The course also twice brings the runners onto a huge opening. There, at the end, the sun is a factor.Read The Full Story